What to Name

Here are some typical interface-related objects that need to have names:

• The program itself
• The document types that the program uses
• The major activities the user performs with the program
• All windows, dialog boxes, and property sheets
• For primary program windows, all regions on the window
• Any nonstandard screen objects, commands, properties, interactions, or technologies

In short, anything that the user can see or interact with that shows up in the menus, toolbars, windows, dialog boxes, status bars, online help, or documentation needs to have a name. Of course, you should use preexisting names for any standard screen object. For example, you don't need to name the common dialog boxes since they already have names.